Learn how to use body shape and body proportion to design a set of characters

Learn how to use body shape and body proportion to design a set of characters

So far in my character development classes, we’ve been working on everything from the neck up. We have covered face proportions, face-shapes, facial features, we’ve even learnt how to draw the head from every angle, making a 3D model of your character’s head. Now it’s time to move onto the rest of the body, learning how to designing characters from head to toe using shape and proportion.

Body Works Part One –Draw a Circus of Characters Exploring Body shape and proportion walks you step-by-step through the character design process, guiding you through every aspect of drawing a set of circus inspired characters. This class is designed for beginners and seasoned artists alike. With drawingdemonstrations,worksheets and inspiration every step of the way this class gives you every opportunity to draw your own set of circus inspired characters.

The first in the Body Works series, Draw a Circus of Characters Exploring Body shapes and proportions takes you through everything you need to know about how to design character using shape and proportion. Part Two will cover movement, and Part Three will use what you have learnt in Part One and Part Two to produce a finished illustration of you character/s.

During this Skillshare class, you will have the opportunity to shadow me as I produce a set of characters for a ‘real’ project – an unpublished YA (young adult)manuscript– taking you through my thinking and design process and giving you tools and tipsto apply to your own character designs.

The Ideal Body Proportions

You will learn about the ideal body proportions at various ages, working your way from a 1-2 year-old (standing at four heads in length), all the way through to an adult (with a head height of 9 inches, standing with a body 8 heads tall). I’ll then give you an example of a well known picture book character and how they evolved over time in order to align with a new, more modern audience.

Once you’ve understood the basics – and also the big no no’s – you’ll be able to find middle ground, learning how to use body proportion to your advantage. To help get started with your own character design, I offer a bonus class, showing how I draw a female character from ages 1 to 18.

Shape and Silhouette

Following the basics in body proportion, I then move onto body shape, using the main characters from the ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ series to explain the importance of shape and silhouette. Here, I give you a summary of each Winnie-the-Pooh character, and the reasons behind the shapes that have been used, as well as showing how each character has evolved across time and media.

Drawing a set of five Circus Inspired Characters

Finally you get the opportunity to look over my shoulder as I produce a set of characters for a ‘real’ project – an unpublished YA (young adult)manuscript– taking you through my process of designing five individual characters that work as stand alone characters as well as a set. Experience my thinking and design process and then apply the same methods and tipsto your own character design.

Use this class as inspiration to design you own set of circus inspired characters. Learn about proportion and shape, then apply my design process to build your own set of characters. This class offers drawing demonstrations, worksheets and buckets of inspiration, to give you every opportunity to draw the best circus act in town!

I look forward to seeing you in class and I can’t wait to see what you come up with! – Nina!